Uplifting Stories

January 08, 2010

My friend Heidi sent this to me and it was too good not to share. It reinforces what I believe and that is life is short. Grab a tissue and enjoy!

Both men and women, sons and daughters need to read this

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.' * * *

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years, but the demands of my work and my two boys had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. * * *

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. * * *

'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked? * * *

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. * * *

'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,' I responded.. 'Just the two of us.' She thought about it for a moment, and then said, 'I would like that very much.' * * *

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last birthday on November 19th. * * *

She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's... 'I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said, as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'. * * *

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print.. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor,' I responded. * * *

During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation- -nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. * * *

As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.' I agreed. * * *

'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I got home. 'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered. * * *

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her. * * *

Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.' * * *

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till 'some other time.' * * *

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby..... somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history * * *

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct .. somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. * * *

Somebody said being a mother is boring ... somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good'.... somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. * * *

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother... somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.. * * *

Somebody said you can't love the second child as much as you love the first .... somebody doesn't have two children. * * *

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.... somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten ... or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.' * * *

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married....somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.* * *

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home....Somebody never had grandchildren. * * *

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.... Somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life and to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't just about being a mother; it's about appreciating the people in your life while you have them, no matter who thatperson

July 14, 2009

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON . . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are! They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON . . . Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

March 16, 2008

My cousin Sara is signed up for Relay for Life. The event will be held the middle of May. She is walking in memory of my Grandma Brintle, and in honor of my Grandpa Brintle and their fight with cancer. She will be walking in April and is taking donations. I am so proud of her for wanting to do this, our family has been effected deeply by cancer. She has a goal to raise $125 and so far she has $10 and I have to share with you that it is her own money, sad I know so here it is. I'm asking for your help to help her meet and hopefully even exceed her goal.

You can donate any amount you wish, every penny counts and will help to find a cure for cancer and support the cause. You can also buy a Lumineria for $10 in memory of someone you know that has had cancer. Let's help Sara meet her goal before May!

Thank you so much for your help! I really do appreciate it and I know Sara will also!

Edited to add- This post will stay at the top of my blog for the next couple of weeks so everyone sees it. So scroll down for current posts. Thanks!

February 28, 2008

I found this on another ladies blog that I visit and wanted to share it with you today.

{Maybe}

Maybe . . .we were supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting theright one, so that when we finally meet the right person, we will knowhow to be grateful for that gift.

Maybe . When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but, oftentimes, we look so long at the closed door that we don't even see the newone which has been opened for us.

Maybe . . . It is true that we don't know what we have until we lose it,but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing untilit arrives.

Maybe . . . The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best ofeverything; they just make the most of everything that comes along theirway.

Maybe . . . The brightest future will always be based on a forgottenpast; after all, you can't go on successfully in life until you let goof your past mistakes, failures and heartaches.

Maybe . . . You should dream what you want to dream; go where you wantto go, be what you want to be, because you have only one life and onechance to do all the things you dream of, and want to do.

Maybe . . There are moments in life when you miss someone -- a parent,a spouse, a love, a friend, a child -- so much that you just want topick them from your dreams and hug them for real, so that once they arearound you appreciate them more.

Maybe . . . The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porchand swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it wasthe best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe . . You should always try to put yourself in others' shoes. If youfeel that something could hurt you, it probably will hurt the otherperson, too.

Maybe . . you should do something nice for someone every single day,even if it is simply to leave them alone.

Maybe . . .giving someone all your love is never an assurance that theywill love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it togrow in their heart; but, if it doesn't, be content that it grew inyours.

Maybe . Happiness waits for all those who cry, all those who hurt,all those who have searched, and all those who have tried, for only theycan appreciate the importance of all the people who have touched theirlives.

Maybe . . . You shouldn't go for looks; they can deceive; don't go forwealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile,because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find theone that makes your heart smile.

Maybe . . You should hope for enough happiness to make you sweet, enoughtrials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, and enoughhope to make you happy

Maybe . You should try to live your life to the fullest because whenyou were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling butwhen you die, you can be the one who is smiling and everyone around youcrying.

Maybe. . . You could send this message to those people who meansomething to you, to those who have touched your life, to those who canand do make you smile when you really need it, to those who make you seethe brighter side of things when you are really down, and to all thosewhom you want to know that you appreciate them and their friendship.

January 28, 2008

I found this on a message board I browse through. It came from the best of Craigslist.com, meaning someone posted it on there. I think we all need to be reminded from time to time of the good things people do for one another. It restores your hope in humanity. Get the tissues out.

Date: 2007-11-23, 10:55PM MST

This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.

Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.' Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am wherever there is love.